Friday N.H. News Roundup - Mar. 7th, 2014

We’re looking at the stories of the week: former U.S. Senator Bob Smith launches his campaign to regain his old seat, a state Senate committee approves a 4 cent gas tax increase, and Granite State Unemployment dips below five percent.

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There is a hint of light at the end of a two-year-long legal battle over waste-water treatment plant upgrades on the Great Bay.

The towns of Portsmouth, Rochester and Dover have been arguing that regulators with the Department of Environmental Services and the EPA hadn’t proved that requiring millions of dollars of state-of-the-art wastewater plants would substantially improve water quality. But after a panel of independent scientists issued a sharp critique of the science used by the DES, a deal could be on the horizon.

Nearly two and a half years after the city of Manchester evicted Occupy New Hampshire from Veteran’s Park, the group’s case was heard before the state Supreme Court Wednesday. The case hinges on whether the group was exercising free speech when it set up its camp community, among other things.

Occupy New Hampshire caught the wave of protests that swept the nation in October of 2011. The protesters had a city permit to protest during the day in the park, but after only two nights of camping out police removed them, arresting five.

Complaints have surfaced again from customers of a New Hampshire home heating oil company about delays in fuel deliveries and in contacting the business, including a school in Alton where 150 students went much of one day without any heat.

Superintendent Bill Lander in Alton tells WMUR-TV he called Fred Fuller Oil 10 times Monday and either got a busy signal or no answer. Once, the number was disconnected.

The district was eventually able to get through to the Hudson-based company and get oil.

The New Hampshire House is slated to vote this week on a bill to prevent housing discrimination. Renters who pay with federal subsidy vouchers, known as Section 8, and victims of domestic abuse would receive new protections.

A state Senate committee has recommended passage of a gas tax increase in New Hampshire.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted 4-1 Tuesday in favor of the increase.

The 18 cent tax would rise about 4 cents per gallon in July under the bill. It has not been increased since 1991 and is the lowest in New England. That increase is projected to raise $32 million annually for road improvements and the Department of Transportation.